NON-LEAGUE NEWS: AFC Croydon Athletic have won promotion from the eighth tier of English football with a thrilling, and very tense, 2-1 play-off final win at Knaphill last night.
Nervous 90 minutes: Rams fans at the start of last night’s crucial play-off final at Knaphill. Somewhere in the crowd was Stomzy and Maya Jama
The game was watched by the club’s new-ish co-owner, rapper Stormzy, accompanied by his girlfriend Maya Jama, who both joined in the post-match celebrations.
The Rams scored wither side of half-time against their Combined Counties Premier Division South rivals. Brandon Pierrick scored the opener when he brought down Cian McCarthy’s cross, fought off two challenges and fired in.
Two minutes into the second-half, the Rams doubled their lead. Pierrick raced down the wing before laying it off to Louie Theophanous, who took one touch before sliding the ball home.
Transformer: Jermain McGlashan
That’s how the score remained going into the final 10 minutes, when Knaphill – who had placed third in the division to Athletic’s fifth – threw everything at them. The home side won a penalty – and missed!
Knaphill then had a man sent off, but were then awarded another penalty, leaving Stormzy’s team hanging on to their slender lead, with some stalwart defending.
Croydon Athletic had finished the league season 38 points adrift of champions Farnham Town, who went the entire 38-match season unbeaten, and were only held to a draw three times.
But it is the Rams who will be joining them, thanks to some very strong late-season form that saw them storm through from 17th spot in October, when Jermain McGlashan was appointed manager by new owners Stormzy, Wilf Zaha and Danny Young, to be fifth by May, and coming through two tough away from home play-off games.
“What an incredible six months for Jermain McGlashan and all of his team,” tweeted the club.
With Stormzy and Maya Jama present, last night’s game, played at Kaphill’s ground near Woking, attracted celebrity paparazzi as well as sports hacks.
Owner’s delight: Stormzy joins the Rams squad for the post-game celebrations
Maya Jama, apparently, “cut a stylish figure in an oversized black blazer and cargo trousers as she grabbed a beer before heading into the match”. Which is nice.
The result means that AFC Croydon Athletic will step up next season and play Isthmian League football at the Mayfield Stadium for the first time in more than 12 years – since the predecessor club folded amid scandal and tragedy surrounding its owners.
Last night, according to other reports, “The win sparked wild celebrations, with the entire squad and coaching staff flooding on to the pitch. Stormzy, wearing a Croydon Athletic scarf, was lifted onto the shoulders of the players as they celebrated.
“He then joined them in the dressing room as they continued the party with dancing and singing, as the rapper was seen drinking bottles of beer alongside the players.”
Read more: How Stormzy’s football dream is becoming a Mayfield reality
Read more: Trophy-winning manager Giles decides its time to leave club
Read more: Stormzy’s changing the game by opening his #MerkyFC HQ
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ROTTEN BOROUGH AWARDS: In January 2024, Croydon was named among the country’s rottenest boroughs for a SEVENTH successive year in the annual round-up of civic cock-ups in Private Eye magazine
